Page 63 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“Out of curiosity, how long did you suppose those people would suffer injustices before they fought back?” Simeon asked.
“Careful. It almost sounds if you are a sympathizer of the Anti-Corn Law rebels and their aggressive tactics,” Justice Keats remarked dryly.
Attempting to keep his voice controlled, Simeon replied, “The only aggressive tactics I saw were your constables executingyourwarrant.”
“Why exactly are you here, officer?” Justice Keats asked indifferently.
Simeon narrowed his eyes at the impertinent magistrate. “I prefer Lord Wentworth, if you don’t mind,” he stated in a steely tone. “I am here to discover who ordered you to issue a warrant for Mr. Hatcher’s arrest.”
“It was of my own volition,” he responded. “We needed to squash the growing demonstration, which demanded I issue a warrant for the arrest of the orator.”
“But it was a peaceful demonstration,” Pembrooke objected. “There were no incidents until your constables arrived.”
Justice Keats sighed impatiently. “Gentlemen, you’re wasting my time…”
“Did Sheriff Blundell pressure you to write that warrant?” Simeon asked, speaking over him.
“He did not. We discussed the case, and both acknowledged that the Anti-Corn Law rebels were becoming too strong in numbers,” Justice Keats explained. “If we’d continued to let the people gather, riots would have erupted all over London.” He leaned forward and rested his forearms onto his desk. “I would think that Bow Street Runners would prefernotto have riots.”
“Now that you have arrested Mr. Hatcher, what do you intend to do with him?” Pembrooke asked.
“Eventually, he will be granted a trial, but we shall wait until these rebels dissipate before we order one,” the magistrate said in a bored tone.
“Do you intend to make an example out of him?” Pembrooke asked.
“I do.”
Rising, Simeon inquired, “Pray tell, what if you’re wrong, and by arresting Hatcher, you’ve stirred the flame of rebellion even more?”
“Then, we shall squash them, one by one,” Justice Keats asserted, looking up at him. “I was under the impression that you’re a Tory.”
“I am,” Simeon replied, placing his hat on top of his head.
“Tories areforthe Corn Laws, not against them,” Keats pointed out.
Simeon stepped forward and tapped the desk with his finger. “I’m on the side of right, whatever side that may be.”
“That is a dangerous way to live,” Keats said.
He let out a light huff. “No more than allowing innocent people to be attacked for attending a peaceful demonstration.”
“I would proceed cautiously, Lord Wentworth,” Justice Keats advised. “Powerful men want this rebellion to be squashed.”
“Which men?”
Justice Keats scoffed. “You’re a fool for getting involved.”
They continued to stare at each other with contempt until Pembrooke tugged on the sleeve of Simeon’s jacket. “Come, Wentworth. We have another meeting we must attend.”
Reluctantly, he broke his gaze from Keats. “Of course.” He tipped his hat towards the magistrate. “I personally will ensure that Hatcher is treated fairly in the court system.”
Keats rose from his desk slowly. “Are you implying that he won’t be?”
“I apologize,” Simeon started dryly, “I wasn’t implying anything. I am boldly stating that I question your integrity in this matter.”
“How dare you come into my office and speak such blatant untruths,” Keats declared. “Who do you think you are?”
Simeon straightened to his full height. “I am the Viscount of Wentworth, a peer of the realm, and a decorated Bow Street Runner. I have every right to speak to you in such a manner.”
